Turntable camera-processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

For use in turntable camera-processors or photocopying machines for processing film inserts mounted in apertures of cards, control circuitry is disclosed which is coupled to the turntable and effective to sequentially effect a desired number of exposures of the film inserts and to process a number of such exposed film inserts which is less than the desired number by at least one thereby leaving unprocessed film inserts in the camera processor which will be processed in subsequent operations of the processor initiated by the control circuitry.

[451 July 24,1973

United States Patent [1 1 Glidden et al.

i- 3,675,563 7/1972 Metreaud...

[ TURNTABLE CAMERA-PROCESSING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Dennis James Glidden; Wayne Alan Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses Freiert, both of Rochester, NY. Atmmey-w- Klme et Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y.

[57] ABSTRACT For use in turntable camera [73] Assignee:

-processors or photocopying machines for processing film inserts mounted in apertures of cards, control circuitry is disclosed which is coupled to the turntable and effective to sequentially effect a desired number of exposures of the film inserts and to process a number of such exposed film inserts which is less than the desired number by at least one 2 7 H w v M N3 0 N .ml D. MD. FA 1] 21 22 [.l.

thereby leaving unprocessed film inserts in the camera 03 459 NW 71 2 R% w M5 9 m 1 /u 5 m 9 "u mmn .c r n m .l l WM UmF HUN 555 processor which willbe processed in subsequent operations of the processor initiated by the control circuitry.

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A. C, RETURN TURNTABLE CAMERA-PROCESSING APPARATUS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned U. S. Pat. application Ser. No. 302,433 entitled EXPOSURE STATION FOR APERTURE CARD PHOTOCOPY- ING MACHINE in the name of Endter et al., filed 10/31/72; and U. S. Pat-application Ser. No. 302,432 entitled, ALIGNMENT STATION FOR APERTURE CARD PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE in the name of Endter et al., filed 10/31/72, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to turntable camera-processing apparatus for exposing and processing film sections mounted as inserts in aperture cards.

2. Description of the Prior Art The use of image-bearing frames or sections of microfilm mounted as inserts in aperture or record cards has gained wide acceptance as means for storing recorded information. According to a prior practice, a plurality of document images were developed on film and then cut into individual film sections which were hand mounted in cards. This was a time-consuming and laborous practice. in order to overcome these deficiencies, turntable type camera-processor apparatus were devised such as, for example, disclosed in U. S. Pat. No.

3,233,532 to Kutchera. In such apparatus, film sections are originally mounted in aperture cards and a tumtable type camera processor moves such cards seriatum along a predetermined path through an exposure station and processing stations respectively. In certain applications employing turntable camera processors, which for example, make duplicates of radiographs or X-rays, each time an X-ray is copied on a film section the processor carries such film sections through all of the work stations to completion. Thus, with such turntable camera-processor apparatus while certain stations perform work operations other stations are idle. Accordingly, apparatus efficiency viewed from the standpoint of station work operations performed per unit apparatus operating time is relatively low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved turntable type camera-processor apparatus having increased efficiency.

In accordance with the invention, it has been determined that for certain turntable camera-processor applications, it is not necessary to immediately completely process aperture cards but rather such cards need only be processed before the completion of a work day.

In the disclosed apparatus, a turntable cameraprocessor for use with aperture cards carrying film inserts includes an exposure station and a processing station including control means coupled to the turntable and responsive to a stored manifestation representative of the desired number of film sections to be exposed to a particular radiation pattern for actuating the exposure station to effect sequential exposure of said desired number of film inserts to such information. The control means is further adapted for actuating the processing station to process a number of the exposed film inserts which is less than the desired number thereby leaving at least one exposed but unprocessed film insert in the path, the control means further includes means responsive to the next desired number of film inserts on which information is to be recorded for processing the unprocessed film inserts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the turntable apparatus and a turntable drive mechanism which serves to rotate the turntable about a rotary axis and to translate the turntable along the same axis;

FIGS. 5A and 58, when aligned, show a detailed diagram partially in block and partially in schematic form of circuitry for controlling the operation of the turntable shown in the FIGS. 2-4; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B show detailed schematic diagrams of the function controllers for processing stations and the film drying and discharge station.

The symbols for the logic components shown in the drawings are in accordance with American Standard Graphical Symbols for Logical Diagrams (ASA 8s 32, 14-1962).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a general understanding of aperture card camera-processors wherein the invention has particular utility, reference is made to FIG. 1 wherein the exterior of a camera-processor l0 and identification printer 12 is shown. Such aperture card camera-processors are well known in the art and as will be described operate to expose, process and dry photosensitive film sections which are in the form of inserts mounted in the apertures or windows of aperture cards.

The general operation of the camera-processor ll) as shown in FIG. 1 will only be briefly described. In operation, an operator takes the material to be recorded on a film insert, such as an X-ray photograph, radiograph or the like (not shown) from a receiving tray 14 and places it into a slidable holder 16. The operator removes a keypunched data card (not shown) punched with patient information such as his name and medical history from the receptable l4 and inserts it into reading station slot 19 on the identification printer 12. The reading station is adapted to decode the punched information on such card, store such information in a memory unit and provide a visual alpha-numeric display thereof on a display panel 18. The operator then verifys that the readable information recorded on the radiograph or the like corresponds with the information visually displayed on the display panel 18. If there is a mistake in the punched card information or additional information is to be added, the correction or addition as the case may be is made by the operator on a keyboard 24. When the verification is completed and a display panel 22 on the processor indicates it is ready for operation, the operator pushes the holder 16 into the exposure area 26 of the camera-processor l and actuates the camera-processor and identification printer 12 by depressing the appropriate ones of the switches on thecontrolpanel 27. After a card is completely processed it moves to a receiving tray 28. Completed cards may be stacked in a further receiving tray 29.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, there is shown a processing apparatus generally indicated by the reference number 30 which includes a turntable or turret 32, a work station platform 43 and a turntable center shaft 42 fixed to the turntable 32 and adapted to effect rotational and translational movement of such turret. The turrt 32 includes six identical card holders, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 for respectively receiving six aperture cards 39. As is well known, the aperture cards 39 are made of paper or cardboard stock and have a window or aperture 40 in which a photosensitive film section 41 (usually 35mm in size) is originally mounted as an insert. The card holders 33 through 38 are arranged annularly at 60 intervals about the axis of the turntable center shaft 42 and include vacuum cups (not shown) or other suitable means for removably securing the aperture cards 39 to the card holders. The turntable 32 is fixed to the shaft 42 and the shaft 42, in turn, is journalled in the platform 43 and connected to an appropriate elevation mechanism 44 and an appropriate rotation mechanism 45 enclosed within the platform 43 (see FIG. 4).

The elevation mechanism 44 and the rotation mechanism 45 cooperate to rotate the turntable about the axis, concentric with the shaft 42, and to translate the turntable in opposite directions along ,thesame axis. The rotation mechanism 45 is adapted to rotate the turntable 32 successively through 60 increments or steps, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, and at the completion of each such rotational increment, the elevation mechanism 44 vertically lowers the turntable 32 a distance A as viewed in FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 2, the platform 43 includes six work stations 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51. In the lowered position the turntable 32 locates the six card holders 33 through 38 and the six aperture cards 39 secured thereto in respective registration with six work stations 46 through 51. The six work stations 46 through 51 are fixed to the platform 43 and arranged annularly at 60 intervals about the turntable center shaft 12. To facilitate registration, the card holders 33 through 38 include two index pins 52 and 53 respectively and the work stations 46 through 51 include two index pin receiving wells 54 and 55 respectively.

The six work stations 46 through 51 cooperate to perform a series of six different work operations on an aperture card 39. This series of operations is adapted to photograph individual documents (not shown) on the photosensitive film inserts 41 mounted in the aperture cards 39 and to rapidly process the film inserts to provide a photographic positive or negative image. The operation series begins at the work station 46 and is completed at the work station 51.

At the work station 46, which is a card loading station, a light-tight container (not shown) is opened to enable the aperture cards 39 to be successively picked up by the card holders 33 through 38 as respective ones of the card holders are moved into registration with the card loading station and a loading vacuum solenoid 96 (FIG. 5B) is energized. This sequence of events occurs each time the turntable 32 completes a 60 rotational increment and is lowered the distance A shown in FIG. 4.

At the work station 47, which is a card aligning station, aperture card is temporarily released from a card holder and exactly positioned relative to the index pins 52 and 53 on that card holder, by four alignment solenoid controlled movable tabs 56, in order to precisely locate such card for film exposure at the next station 48. The alignment station 47 may include sequentially actuated solenoids 98, 99 and (see FIG. 5B) for respectively (I) actuating a device to momentarily shut off vacuum to cause an aperture card to drop from the platen into an alignment nest, (2) actuating the tabs to move into abutment with the card and align same, and (3) re-applying the vacuum to cause the aligned card to be picked up by the platen.

At the work station 48, which is a film exposing station, a photosensitive film insert mounted in an aperture card is exposed to light projecting through an optical mask 57 to photograph an image on the film insert.

At the work station 49, which is a first film processing station, an exposed film insert is first treated by a developer solution and then by a stop solution.

At the work station 50, which is a second film processing station, the exposed film insert, after previously being treated by the developer and stop solutions at the first processing station 49, is successively treated by a fix solution and a wash solution to finish processing of such film insert.

Finally, at the work station 51, which is a film drying and discharging station, the processed film insert is first dried by heated air or other suitable means and is then fed into the card receiving tray 28 shown in FIG. 1.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 58, there is shown a control circuit 40 for controlling the operation of the turntable 32 and the work stations 46 through 51 for exposing and processing cards respectively. A count selector switch 72 enables an operator to select a number from 1 to 4 representative of the desired number of film sections to be exposed to a particular image and then process. The count selector may actually be embodied in the control panel of FIG. 1 and arranged such that when a particular button is depressed it causes the entry of a particular digital number into a comparator 74. A control panel or keyboard which may be used in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. I of commonly assigned U. S. Pat. No. 3,290,987 entitled, AUTOMATIC SEARCHING FILM READER in the names of James et al. The comparator 74 is adapted to compare a number stored in a counter 76 with that delivered to the comparator from the switch 72 and provide a high level output signal to an AND gate 78 when the number of manifestations stored in the counter 76 are not equal to the number of manifestations held in the comparator 74. However, when such numbers are equal, the output of the comparator to the AND gate 78 turns low. Counter circuits, in accor dance with the invention, are commercially available such as, for example, those disclosed in Motorola's handbook, TTL INTEGRATED CIRCUITS DATA BOOK (1970). Further, the comparator 74 may take various forms known in the art, some of which are commercially available such as DM 8200 manufactured by National Semi-Conductor Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.

After an operator has selected a particular number of film sections to be exposed and processed by operating the switch 72, an exposure button 80 (mounted on the keyboard 27 of FIG. 1) is depressed which completes an electrical circuit to a light emitting diode (LED) 81. The LED 81 is now coupled to source of positive potential through a resistor 83 and illuminates a phototransistor 82 changing its conductivity to an extent that i it provides a triggering input signal via a resistor 84 to to a one state (Q high). In the one state, flip-flop 88 provides a high level signal to an AND gate 90. At this time, if the output of the AND gate 78 is high, AND gate 90 provides an enabling signal to sequencer circuitry 92. The sequencer 92 is adapted to provide seriatum a plurality of output signals in the lines labeled 92A-E. Sequencer circuits which can provide such a function are well known in the art and may be either mechanical apparatus such as cam controlled switches or electronic shift registers such as, for example, disclosed in commonly-assigned U. S. Pat. application Ser. No. 217,093 filed Jan. 12, 1972 entitled, INTE- GRATED CIRCUIT SEQUENCER in the name of Lloyd. The output signals produced by the sequencer 92, sequentially actuate driver circuits 92', B, C' and D' which respectively actuate in sequence the loading station vacuum solenoid 96, the aligning station vacuum shut-off solenoid 98, alignment tab control solenoid 99, and the re-applying vacuum solenoid 100. After this sequence of operations, the card at the alignment station 47 is aligned and held by vacuum. Also, at this time, another card has also been received by the turret at the loading station 46. Thereafter, the sequencer 92 provides a signel in lead 92E which causes OR gate 102 to actuate turret control circuitry 110 such as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,432 to Kutchera. Turret advance control circuitry 110 includes motor control logic which is adapted to drive a motor to move the turret along the path through an increment (viz., 60 as previously described). Motor control logic may take various forms known in the art, some of which are commercially available. The circuitry 110 also includes means which when the circuit has completed its advance increment provides a plurality of input signals to work station function controllers 1'20 and also to counter 76. For the sake of convenience, only a single function controller has been shown in FIG. 58 although it will be understood that there is one such controller for each work station. FIGS. 6A and 6B show other function controllers which will be described shortly hereinafter. The function controller shown in FIG. B is for the exposure station and includes a J-K type flip-flop 122 which when actuated by the circuitry 110 changes to state I and energizes a driver circuit 124. The driver circuit I24 then energizes a high voltage exposure control network I26 which turns on at least one lamp for a selected exposure. An example of a high voltage exposure control network which is especially suitable for use with the present invention is set forth in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 261,184 filed CONTROL APPARATUS in the name of Freiert et al.

Turning now to FIG. 6A there is shown a function controller for the processing stations 39 and 50 (see FIG. 2). This controller includes a .H( flip-flop 150 which is similar in function to the flip-flop 122 shown in FIG. 5B. When the circuitry produces a signal it causes J-K flip'flop to be latched or switched to the one state. At this time, a positive high level signal is applied to the transistor I54 which drives the transistor 154 from cutoff into a conductive mode. This actioncompletes a circuit path from a positive source of potential through a relay 156, and the collector and emitter electrodes of the transistor 154 to ground At this time, the relay 156 energizes and closes its contacts 156a which now permit a positive AC signal to be applied to the gate electrode of a triac. By such action, the triac which previously had been non-conductive now switches to a conductive mode and connects the AC potential to a motor 160. As is well understood in the art, a triac is a three-electrode, five-layer device which has many of the characteristics of a conventional SCR device but is conventionally used as a switch connected in series with a source of AC potential. When energized, the motor 160 drives a processing pump 162 and also drives a cam 164. A switch 166 is normally closed but when the pump 162 is near the completion of the end of a processing cycle, the cam 164 causes it to momentarily open. At this time, a reset pulse is applied to the flip-flop 150 via a resistor 168 which is directly connected to a source of positive potential. After the flip-flop 150 changes to a zero state, the transistor 154 is driven into a non-conductive mode and the relay 156 is de-energized thereby causing the triac 158 to become non-conductive and turn off the motor 160. Alternatively, the switch 166 could be two sided and sequentially provide by the first side a first reset signal to the flip-flop 150 and by the second side a circuit connection for de-energizing the transistor 154.

Turning now to FIG. 68 there is shown a function controller for the drying and exiting station 51. Where corresponding elements are the same as in FIG. 6A, they will be denoted by the same number but carry a prime. In operation when the .I-K flip-flop 150' is driven to the one state it provides a pulse to a timing circuit 162'. Timing circuits are well known in the art. An example of a circuit which may be used in accordance with the present invention is set forth in GE Transistor Manual, 5th Edition, Section 13 (1960) wherein a relaxation oscillator is shown to include a unijunction transistor and a changing capacitor. The timing circuit, when energized, provides an output signal to the transistor 154' and after the predetermined time interval sufficient for the station 51 to have completed its work operation provides a reset signal to the flip-flop 150'. After the transistor 154' is driven into conduction it causes r'elay 156' to energize. Contacts 1560 then close and a gate signal is applied to the triac 158' driving it into conduction so that the AC signal is applied across a heater shown schematically as an adjustable resistor I64. After the aforesaid predetermined time interval of the timing circuit and the timing circuit provides reset pulse for flip-flop 150, transistor 154 is switched to a cutoff state at which time the relay 156' de-energizes, contacts 156a open and the circuit path to the heater 164' is opened.

Returning now to FIGS. A andSB, after the function controllers have completed all their operations, they provide low level input signals to inverting inputs of an AND gate 130 which in such a condition provides an output signal in four paths. The first is directed to the AND gate 78, the second to a reset circuit 132, the third to AND gate 136 and the fourth to NAND gate 137.

When the selected count from switch 72 does not compare with the counter, AND gate 78 receives a high signal from AND gate 130 and comparator 74. The output of AND gate 78 is then at a high level and this causes AND gate 90 to initiate another cycle of the sequencer 92.

It should be noted that the time the flip-flop 88 was electrically latched by the actuation of switch 80, further switch actuations are not effective until reset circuit 132 (which may be provided by an AND gate) receives an input from gate 130 and also a signal from comparator 79 which indicates an equal comparison. At this time the flip-flop 88 is reset and restores switch 80 to an actuable controlling state. When there is an equal comparison, the comparator 84 also provides a reset signal to the counter 47.

If it is desired to completely process all the cards in the turntable, then a clear" button 190 (see also FIG. 1) is depressed and provides a completed circuit for the serial connection of a source of positive potential, a resistor 192, and LED 194 to ground. The LED illuminates a phototransistor 196 which provides a latching signal to a J-K flip-flop 200. The flip-flop 200 switches to the one state and provides a high level signal to AND gate 136. Another high level signal from AND gate 130 is provided to AND gate 106 indicating end of process. AND gate 136 provides a signal to an OR gate 102 which bypasses the sequencer 92 and causes the turret to continue operation without loading of subsequent cards.

Each time a signal comes from AND gate 130, AND gate 136 initiates another cycle. At the fourth count in counter 46, a signal is generated to NAND gate 137. It should be noted there is a mechanical connection between switch 190 and the fourth position of switch 72 shown by a dotted line. By this arrangement when the clear button 190 is depressed it moves the switch 72 to position 34 causing the number 4" to be entered into the comparator 74. Upon receiving the counter signal and a signal from AND gate 130, the NAND gate 137 sends a reset signal to flip-flop 200. The machine is now clear of cards which have been fully processed.

Reviewing the operation of the control circuitry shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the switch 72 is first moved to a position indicating the number of exposures and such number is entered into the comparator 74. Thereafter, the exposure button 80 is depressed which causes the flip-flop 88 to latch and send a signal to AND gate 90. The sequencer 92 will be actuated by the comparator 74 and the end of process detecting AND gate 130 a number of times equal to the number entered into the comparator 74. Thus, the turret will leave unprocessed film inserts in the camera processor which will be processed by in response to subsequent entries into the comparator 74 whereby there is an efficient utilization of machine operating time.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a camera-processor suitable for recording information on photosensitive film inserts mounted in the apertures of aperture cards, said camera-processor including a turntable having card holders for respectively holding aperture cards carrying such film inserts to seriatum movement along a predetermined path, and disposed along such path an actuable exposure station for exposing upon actuation a film insert in an aperture card to an actinic radiation image of such information and an actuable processing station for processing upon actuation such exposed insert to form a record of such information, the improvement comprising:

a. means for storing a manifestation representative of a desired number of film inserts on which such information is to be recorded; and

b. control means, coupled to said turntable and responsive to such stored manifestation, for moving seriatum the aperture cards carrying film inserts along said path, for actuating said exposure station to effect sequential exposure of said desired number of film inserts to such information, and for actuating said processing station to process a number of the exposed film inserts which is less than said desired number thereby leaving at least one exposed but unprocessed film insert in said path, said control means including means, responsive to the stored manifestation of a subsequent desired number of film inserts on which information is to be recorded, for processing said unprocessed film insert.

2. In a camera-processor suitable for recording information on photosensitive film inserts mounted in the apertures of aperture cards, said camera-processor including a turntable having card holders for respectively holding aperture cards carrying such film inserts for seriatum movement along a predetermined path, and

disposed along such path an actuable exposure station for exposing upon actuation a film insert in an aperture card to an actinic radiation image of such information and at least two actuable processing stations for processing upon actuation such exposed insert to form a record of such information, the improvement comprismg:

a. counter means for accumulating a number equal to the number of film inserts exposed to a particular radiation image;

b. comparator means for storing a manifestation representative of a desired number of film inserts on which such information is to be recorded and responsive to the accumulated number of. said counter means for producing a first signal when the accumulated number and stored number are not equal and a second signal when they are equal; and

c. control means, coupled to said turntable and responsive to said first signal for moving seriatum the aperture cards carrying film inserts along said path, for actuating said exposure station to effect sequential exposure of said desired number of film inserts to such information, and for actuating said processing stations to process a number of the exposed film inserts which is less than said desired number, means responsive to said second signal to prevent the actuation of stations thereby leaving a plurality of unprocessed film inserts in said path, said control means being further responsive to subsequent ones of said first signals for processing said unprocessed film inserts.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 including clear means for causing said control means to process all of said unprocessed film inserts. 

1. In a camera-processor suitable for recording information on photosensitive film inserts mounted in the apertures of aperture cards, said camera-processor including a turntable having card holders for respectively holding aperture cards carrying such film inserts fo seriatum movement along a predetermined path, and disposed along such path an actuable exposure station for exposing upon actuation a film insert in an aperture card to an actinic radiation image of such information and an actuable processing station for processing upon actuation such exposed insert to form a record of such information, the improvement comprising: a. means for storing a manifestation representative of a desired number of film inserts on which such information is to be recorded; and b. control means, coupled to said turntable and responsive to such stored manifestation, for moving seriatum the aperture cards carrying film inserts along said path, for actuating said exposure station to effect sequential exposure of said desired number of film inserts to such information, and for actuating said processing station to process a number of the exposed film inserts which is less than said desired number thereby leaving at least one exposed but unprocessed film insert in said path, said control means including means, responsive to the stored manifestation of a subsequent desired number of film inserts on which information is to be recorded, for processing said unprocessed film insert.
 2. In a camera-processor suitable for recording information on photosensitive film inserts mounted in the apertures of aperture cards, said camera-processor including a turntable having card holders for respectively holding aperture cards carrying such film inserts for seriatum movement along a predetermined path, and disposed along such path an actuable exposure station for exposing upon actuation a film insert in an aperture card to an actinic radiation image of such information and at least two actuable processing stations for processing upon actuation such exposed insert to form a record of such information, the improvement comprising: a. counter means for accumulating a number equal to the number of film inserts exposed to a particular radiation image; b. comparator means for storing a manifestation representative of a desired number of film inserts on which such information is to be recorded and responsive to the accumulated number of said counter means for producing a first signal when the accumulated number and stored number are not equal and a second signal when they are equal; and c. control means, Coupled to said turntable and responsive to said first signal for moving seriatum the aperture cards carrying film inserts along said path, for actuating said exposure station to effect sequential exposure of said desired number of film inserts to such information, and for actuating said processing stations to process a number of the exposed film inserts which is less than said desired number, means responsive to said second signal to prevent the actuation of stations thereby leaving a plurality of unprocessed film inserts in said path, said control means being further responsive to subsequent ones of said first signals for processing said unprocessed film inserts.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 including clear means for causing said control means to process all of said unprocessed film inserts. 